Michael Olunga Has Joined Africa's Elite Club Alongside Mohamed Salah and Aubameyang

Kenyan striker Michael Olunga has joined Africa’s elite goal-scoring ranks, earning his place beside renowned names like Mohamed Salah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang following an impressive run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers.

The qualification rounds wrapped up with nine African teams securing tickets to the World Cup, set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While these nations celebrated their success, the race for the top scorer’s crown was equally captivating, producing some remarkable performances from the continent’s biggest stars.

Algeria’s Mohamed Amoura clinched the Golden Boot, netting 10 goals during the qualifiers. Close behind was Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, who once again showcased his scoring brilliance by finishing with nine goals, guiding the Pharaohs to yet another World Cup.

In total, the African qualifiers featured 256 matches and saw 640 goals, averaging 2.5 per game. Ivory Coast stood out as the most attacking side with 25 goals, while Seychelles endured a difficult campaign, conceding 53 times.

Among the nine teams that qualified, Cape Verde made history as the only debutant, earning their first-ever ticket to the global stage. The other eight qualified sides brought vast experience, each having appeared in at least three previous tournaments.

Who Were the Top Scorers in the African World Cup Qualifiers?

Mohamed Amoura (Algeria) – 10 Goals

Algeria’s Mohamed Amoura emerged as Africa’s top marksman in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, scoring 10 goals to lead the continent.

His tally came across five crucial games in Group G, where he consistently delivered in key moments. Amoura’s standout performance came in a 5-1 thrashing of Mozambique, where he bagged a memorable hat-trick. Just days earlier, he had scored a brace in Algeria’s 3-1 away victory over Botswana on March 21, 2025.

The 25-year-old striker continued his hot streak with another two goals in a 3-0 win over Somalia on October 9, 2025, before wrapping up the campaign with a brace in the final 2-1 triumph against Uganda on October 14. He also added a single goal in the 3-1 home win against Botswana on September 4, 2025.

Amoura’s consistency and precision made him Algeria’s new attacking spearhead, replacing the nation’s long-time dependence on veteran forwards.

Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – 9 Goals

Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah once again proved his world-class quality by finishing second in the African scoring charts with nine goals, playing a decisive role in Egypt’s qualification.

The Liverpool forward was instrumental in guiding the Pharaohs through the group stage and also achieved a personal milestone, becoming Africa’s all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifying history with 20 goals. This record-breaking feat saw him surpass African legends such as Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, Moumouni Dagano, and Islam Slimani, who previously shared the record with 18 goals.

Salah started strong, firing four goals in Egypt’s 6-0 demolition of Djibouti on November 16, 2023, making him only the seventh player to score four goals in a single African qualifier. He followed this with crucial strikes in tight contests, including the 1-1 draw with Guinea-Bissau and a 2-0 win against Ethiopia in Cairo on September 5, 2025.

He also netted in Egypt’s 2-1 away win against Ethiopia on March 21, 2025, before sealing qualification with a brace in the 3-0 victory over Djibouti on October 8, 2025.

Dénis Bouanga (Gabon) & Kamory Doumbia (Mali) – 8 Goals Each

Gabon’s Dénis Bouanga and Mali’s Kamory Doumbia finished tied in third place with eight goals apiece, both delivering standout campaigns.

Bouanga, who plays for Los Angeles FC, was Gabon’s driving force throughout the qualifiers. He scored in nearly every key match, including a 2-1 win against Burundi and another in a victory over Kenya in 2023. His scoring flair included a brace in a 3-0 rout of Seychelles, followed by a stunning hat-trick in the return leg that highlighted his attacking dominance.

For Mali, the emerging talent Kamory Doumbia was the star attraction. The young midfielder displayed remarkable maturity, scoring eight goals and adding one assist to push the Eagles to a strong finish in Group I. His clinical finishing and creativity cemented his position as one of Africa’s brightest prospects and the future leader of Mali’s attack.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Jordan Ayew (Ghana), Musa Barrow (Gambia) – 7 Goals

Veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ghana’s Jordan Ayew, and Gambia’s Musa Barrow each recorded seven goals, just one shy of the third-place tally.

For Aubameyang, the campaign was a reminder of his enduring class. The Gabonese legend scored a brace in the 2-1 away win against Kenya on March 23, 2025, and produced a remarkable four-goal haul in a 4-3 comeback victory over Gambia on October 10, 2025. That performance placed him among a small group of players to score four goals in a single African qualifier. He later added another goal in the 3-2 home win over Gambia.

Jordan Ayew proved equally influential for Ghana, combining leadership and consistency. He netted a hat-trick in the 4-3 win over the Central African Republic, scored in the 1-2 away victory against Mali, and found the net twice against Chad. His contributions were crucial in helping the Black Stars remain competitive in their group.

Musa Barrow, meanwhile, was the heartbeat of Gambia’s offense. The talented forward scored in the 3-2 defeat to Burundi and netted in the 3-1 away win against Kenya. He also grabbed a brace in the commanding 7-0 away victory over Seychelles, keeping Gambia’s qualification hopes alive deep into the campaign.

Michael Olunga (Kenya) & Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – 6 Goals

Kenya’s Michael Olunga and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen finished tied on six goals, rounding out the list of Africa’s top sharpshooters in the qualifiers.

For Olunga, the Harambee Stars captain and talisman, his goals were vital in nearly every positive result Kenya achieved. He opened his account with a brace in the 5-0 home win over Seychelles, repeating the feat in the return leg. The powerful striker also scored Kenya’s lone goal in the 2-1 home defeat to Gabon and added another in the thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia away from home.

Olunga’s clinical form ensured Kenya remained competitive in one of the toughest qualifying groups, reinforcing his reputation as one of Africa’s deadliest finishers. His six goals placed him among the continent’s best, alongside legends like Salah and Aubameyang.

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, on the other hand, continued to demonstrate why he is considered one of Africa’s most lethal forwards. The Napoli star’s hat-trick in Nigeria’s final match was a statement of intent, though it wasn’t enough to guarantee the Super Eagles a direct World Cup berth. Still, his performance reaffirmed his status as the team’s primary goal threat and one of Africa’s brightest stars.